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On this day in Alabama history: Gov. Kay Ivey was born

State Treasurer Kay Ivey is sworn in by U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions on the Capitol steps in Montgomery, 2007. (Office of Sen. Jeff Sessions, Wikipedia)

October 15, 1944

Kay Ellen Ivey was born on Oct. 15, 1944 in Camden. She graduated from Auburn University, where she was president of the Alpha Gamma Delta pledge class and served in the Student Government Association for four years. In 1967, she married and moved to California, where she taught high school. After divorcing, Ivey returned to Alabama to work for Merchants National Bank and launched a program promoting financial literacy in state schools. She entered politics in 1979 when Gov. Fob James named her to his cabinet; was law clerk for the House of Representatives (1980-82); and assistant director of the Alabama Development Office (1982-85). Ivey worked for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (1985-98) before election as state treasurer (2003-11) and lieutenant governor (2011-17). She became governor when Robert Bentley resigned on April 10, 2017.

Camden native Kay Ivey (1944- ) became Alabama’s 54th governor in April 2017 after the resignation of Gov. Robert Bentley. An Auburn University graduate, she worked in education, banking and economic development before being elected to office as state treasurer in 2003. She was elected lieutenant governor in 2011 and served in that office until her swearing in as governor. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of the state of Alabama)

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs Alabama House Bill 388 into law during the annual Governor’s Outstanding Service Member Awards Luncheon at Maxwell Air Force Base, May 3, 2018. The Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act, enables military spouses with professional licenses from other states to transfer their qualifications to an Alabama license. (U.S. Air Force, photo by Airman Matthew Markivee)